System for reefing and furling sails

ABSTRACT

Spool sections are rotatably mounted on the jib stay. Each section is formed of two identical halves which are fixed together by screws or clips. The two parts in cross-section are formed with a central hole which receives the stay. A bore is formed on one side and connected to the exterior by a first slot. A smaller second bore has a second slot to the exterior. The luff of a sail and its luff rope fit in one large bore, the luff extending out the first slot. The luff rope extends up over a pulley in a crown block above the highest spool section, then down through the first bore on the opposite half. Thus the sail may be rapidly installed. Pins fit into the second bores of adjacent spool sections, holding them for rotation together. A drum consisting of two sections screwed together and fixed to the lowermost spool section receives a furling line used to revolve the spool sections and furl or reef the sail.

States Patent 1191 1111 3,789,790

WNW

Crall Feb. 5, 1974 SYSTEM FOR REEFING AND FURLING PrimaryExaminer-Trygve M. Blix SAILS Assistant ExaminerStuart M. Goldstein [76] Inventor: Donald 111. Crall, 1580 Oleander, Agent i Capla Chula Vista, Calif. 9201 1 [22] Filed: June 1, 1973 [57] ABSTRACT Spool sections are rotatably mounted on the jib stay. [21] Appl 366l73 Each section is formed of two identical halves which Related Application Data are fixed together by screws or clips. The two parts in cross-section are formed with a central hole which receives the stay. A bore is formed on one side and connected to the exterior by a first slot. A smaller second [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 198,707, Nov. 15,

1971, Pat. No. 3,749,043.

52 US. Cl. 114/106 114/105 here hes a Second to the exterier- The luff efe 51 1m. (:1 1i63h 9/04 and he luff P in One large here the hlff extend- [58] Field of Search 114/102, 104-107, ing out the first elet- The luff Yepe extends up ever a 114/111 112 pulley in a crown block above the highest spool section, then down through the first bore on the opposite [56] References Cited half. Thus the sail may be rapidly installed. Pins fit UNITED STATES PATENTS into the second bores of adjacent spool sections, holding them for rotation together. A drum consisting of 3,611,969 lO/l97l Hood 114/106 two sections Screwed together and fi to the lower 2,107,307 LJUl'lgSllOlTl ll4/l06 most Spool section receives a furling line used to volve the spool sections and furl or reef the sail.

10 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures SYSTEM FOR REEFING AND FURLING SAILS This invention is a continuation-in-part of co-pending application, Ser. No. 198,707, filed Nov. 15, 1971 and now U.S. Pat. No. 3,749,043.

This invention relates to a new and improved system for reefing and furling sails and constitutes an improvement over that form of the invention shown in the above named patent. The present invention incorporates many of the advantages of the prior application and, in addition, has other advantages.

One of the advantages of this system is the fact that the sail can be raised and lowered with the same effort and in the same time as conventional jib sails.

The conventional jib sail has snap shackles sewn to the luff of the sail. The luff is snapped onto the jib stay and a halyard is attached to the head of the sail. The sail is hoisted by the halyard which is made fast to a cleat at the base of the mast. The only adjustment of the position of the sail is made with the sheet. It is necessary to change sails if more or less sail area is desired.

In conventional jib furling systems the luff of the sail is fastened to the jib stay and the stay is rotated on bearings at either end. It is necessary to remove the jib stay in order to remove the sail. In my previous design, the luff of the sail was fastened to a furling spool rotatably mounted on the jib stay. It is necessary to remove the spool from the stay in order to remove the sail. In the present invention, however, the spool and sail may be raised independent of each other and sails may be changed rapidly without altering the spool assembly or jib stay.

Another advantage of the present invention is that the spool assembly can be installed on thejib stay or removed in less time than the previous designs.

Still another advantage of the invention is that the two halves of each spool section may be made identical and preferably by an extrusion operation from a plastic such as polyvinylchloride or ofa lightweight metal such as aluminum, thereby accomplishing considerable saving in cost. The need for varying the sail area of a jib sail to fit wind conditions is well recognized. Most sailboats carry several jib sails of different sizes and some have extra fullness in the middle, such as a Genoa sail. The proper sail is selected to fit wind conditions and hence changing jib sails while sailing is frequent. In rough seas, this is a difficult and hazardous operation.

It is a principal feature of the present invention that means is provided which eliminates the need to change sails to suit wind conditions. The amount of sail area exposed is readily adjusted in accordance with the present invention without changing the sail.

A feature of the invention is a considerable reduction in the load conventionally carried by the mast. The weight of the sail and the tension of the luff rope, usually supported by the mast, are supported by the spool assembly. Use ofajib halyard is eliminated. Further, it is possible to use one large jib sail for all purposes.

The present invention provides means for winding the jib sail spools and for unwinding the same, the extent of winding and unwinding being readily controlled from the cockpit of the boat, thereby regulating the exposed sail area.

A principal feature of the invention is the fact that use of the invention makes sailing much safer when changing sail area. It is unnecessary for the sailor to leave the cockpit in order to furl and unfurl the stay sail and hence the danger of falling overboard is reduced.

Another feature of the invention is the facility with which the entire assembly may be installed from the boat deck without removing, adjusting, or modifying the standard rigging in any manner.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following specification and referring to the accompanying drawings in which similar characters of reference represent corresponding parts in each of the several views.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a schematic fragmentary side elevational view showing a portion of a boat on which the present invention is installed.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary enlarged elevation partly broken away to conserve space showing the sail unfurled.

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 viewed at an angle of FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 4-4 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a top plan of the structure of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 2 emphasizing the disposition of the luff rope.

FIG. 7v is a sectional view taken substantially along line 77 of FIG. 3.

The present invention is installed on a boat shown partially in FIG. 1. Hull 12 supports a mast 14 and forward of the mast is ajib sail 18 supported by jib stay 19 which extends from the top of the mast down to the foreward end of the hull l2 and is held taut by a turnbuckle 21. In accordance with the present invention, the jib sail 18 is wound around the stay 19 by means hereinafter described in detail much in the manner of a window shade and is unfurled by pulling on sheet 22 which is fastened to the cornerof sail 18 by a grommet 23.

Disposed rotatable around the stay 19 is a plurality of spool sections 26 which are each about 36 inches in length and connected end to end. Each spool section 26 comprises two identical halves 27a, 27b having parting surfaces 28, 29 each parallel to the other and offset on opposite sides of the center of the combined section 26. The halves on either side have mating tongues 31 and grooves complementary thereto which assist in holding the two halves 27a, 27b in alignment. In order to secure the two halves in place, screws 33 may be installed in steps 32 in each half or spring clips 34 may be installed at intervals along the section or both the screws 33 and clips 34 may be used together. Each clip 34 has an inturned end 36 which fits into a notch in step 32 and an inturned opposite edge 37 which fits into the slot 43 in small diameter hole 42, hereinafter described.

The center 38 of each half is cut away to provide an opening through which stay 19 extends, as is clearly shown in FIG. 4, and the size of stay 19 is less than the opening formed by groove 38 permitting the spool sections to revolve.

Each half 27 has a large diameter first bore 39 which is connected to the exterior by means of a slot 41. Displaced from bore 39 about 60 is a smaller diameter second bore 42 which is connected to the exterior by slot 43. The edge 37 of clip 34 fits into slot 43. The adjacent spool sections are joined and to end and caused to rotate together by means of metal pins 46 which are driven into bores 42 and fit into the corresponding bores 42 of the adjacent spool section.

Sail 18 is formed with a luff (similar to a hem) 51 and inside the hem 51 is a luff rope 52. In accordance with the present invention, the length of luff rope 52 is substantially more than twice the length of sail 18. Above the uppermost spool section 26 is a crown block 57 formed with a radial slot 58 so as to slip over the stay 19. The lower edge of block 57 is formed with a bore 59 which fits over the top of uppermost spool section 26 (see FIG. 3). A large laterally outwardly diverging opening 61 is formed in crown block 57. Rotatable about a transverse pin 62 is opening 61 is a pulley 63. The luff rope 52 extends out of one of the bores 39 of the uppermost spool section 26 through the opening 61 around the top of the pulley 63 and down in through the bore 39 of the opposite spool section half. Luff rope 52 extending outside luff 51 functions as a halyard permitting sail 18 to be raised and lowered.

In the initial installation of the spool sections, a messenger rope (not shown) is installed over the pulley 63. The crown block 58 is first installed over ths stay 19 and the first spool section 26 is assembled, the two halves 27a, 27b being fitted together around the stay 19 and held in place by means of screws 33 and/or clips 34. The crown block 57 is slid over the top of the topmost spool section 26. The messenger rope ends fit through the slots 41 into both bores 39. The various spool sections 26 are fitted together and also fitted endto-end to the uppermost spool section, the pins 46 fitting into the corresponding bores 42. The lowermost spool section 26 is slightly different from the other sections in that it has a long window 71 on one side and a short window 72 on the other. The messenger ropes initially fit out through these windows.

It is now possible to install the sail 18. The leading edge of the luff rope 52 is spliced or attached to the trailing end of the messenger rope. The opposite end of the messenger rope is pulled, causing the luff rope to enter through the large window 71 and up one of the bores 39, over the pulley 63 and down the large bore 39 and out the small window 72. As this occurs, the top of the sail 18 which is fixed to about the midpoint of the luff rope 52 enters through the large window 71 and is carried up through the slot 41. Because the width of slot 41 is less than the diameter of the luff rope, the luff 51 of the sail is caught in the slot 41 and thus the sail is retained in place. After the messenger rope has been pulled all the way through the spool sections, it is unspliced from the leading end of the luff rope and stored for future use. The trailing end of the luff rope, together with the tack of the sail, is formed into an eye 78. This eye 78 is secured to the lowermost spool section by means of a hose clamp 79 or other means. The leading end of the luff rope 52 is pulled tight through the short window 72 and secured by screws 77 through the luff rope 52 into lower spool section 26. The short end is then tucked into the bore 39 below the short window 72. The spool is now free to revolve and roll or unroll the sail.

Fixed to the lower end of the bottommost spool section 26 is a furling drum 81 consisting of two semicylindrical sections 82 held together by means of screws 83. Thus each drum half 82 is fixed to a spool half 27; and when the spool halves are fastened together, the drum halves are likewise fastened. The drum has flanges 84 at top and bottom. One end of furling line 86 passes through an opening 87 in uppermost flange 84 and is tied in a knot 86. The line 86 runs out through a hole in a guide 87 extending outwardly radially from stay 19. The guide 87 consists of two parts having downward bent legs 88 bolted together by means of bolts 89 about stay 19. The guide 87 is directed toward the cockpit. By pulling on furling line 86, the drum 81 and the lowermost section 26 and all the spool sections above it are caused to revolve in unison around the stay 19 causing the sail to be furled. When it is necessary to unfurl the sail, the furling line 86 is loosened and the sheet 22 is pulled, thereby unwinding the sail 18.

It will thus be seen that the sail may be furled and unfurled or reefed at will. Further, the sail may be raised and lowered or sails changed as required. Installing the spool sections, installing the sails and the drum are all easily and rapidly accomplished.

What is claimed is:

1. A system for furling a staysail comprising a plurality of spool sections, each section formed of two substantially identical halves, each said half viewed in transverse cross-section having parallel, offset parting edges with an arcuate groove at the intersection of said edges to provide in the assembled spool section a central opening dimensioned to fit loosely around a stay on which the system is installed, cooperating first means on said halves to hold said halves together in alignment in assembled position, each of said halves having a bore, a slot extending radially from each of said bores to the exterior of said halves, said bore of said first half receiving the luff of a sail and a luff rope within said luff, said slot of said first half receiving the edge of said sail, second means for connecting said sections end-toend on a stay and for rotation in unison with the bores of said sections in alignment, and third means for rotating said sections about a stay to furl said sail about said spool sections.

2. A system according to claim 1 in which said first means comprises a tongue on one said parting edge and a complementary groove on the other said parting edge, the tongue of one half fitting into the grooves in the other half when said halves are assembled.

3. A system according to claim 2 in which said first means further comprises fastening means fastening said halves together in assembled position.

4. A system according to claim 1 which further comprises a crown block having means for securing said crown block to the top of the uppermost spool section and formed to receive said stay and rotate about said stay in unison with said spool sections, said crown block further formed with a passage communicating with said bores of both said halves of said uppermost spool section, a pulley, and means rotatably mounting said pulley in said passage, a luff rope in the bore of one said half extending beyond the top of said sail and passing over said pulley and down the bore of the second said half, whereby said luff rope may be pulled to hoist said sail.

5. A system according to claim 4 which further comprises a first window in a first half of the lowermost said spool section and a second window in the second half of said lowermost spool section whereby the top of said sail may be inserted in said first window and the end of said luff rope remote from said sail may be pulled out through said second window, means securing said luff rope at the bottom of said sail to said first half of said lowermost spool section adjacent said first window and means securing the end of said luff rope remote from said sail to said second half of said lowermost spool section adjacent said second window.

6. A system according to claim 1 in which said third means comprises a drum fixed for rotation with the lowermost of said spool sections and a furling line wrapped around said drum.

7. A system according to claim 6 in which said drum comprises two drum halves each formed with a groove to fit around said spool and top and bottom flanges and fastening means to detachably hold said drum halves together.

8. A system according to claim 7 which further com-v prises a furling rope guide having means to fix said guide to said stay and a radial arm for said furling rope.

9. A system according to claim 1 in which each said half is formed with a second bore offset from said firstmentioned bore and in which said second means comprise pins fitting into the second bores of adjacent spool sections.

10. A system according to claim 9 in which each said half is formed with a second slot extending radially from said second bore to the exterior of said half and is also formed with an external step having a locking surface substantially parallel to said parting edges and in which said cooperating first means comprises a plurality of metal clips each engaging the locking surface of one said half and the second slot of the other half and bridging the joint between said halves. 

1. A system for furling a staysail comprising a plurality of spool sections, each section formed of two substantially identical halves, each said half viewed in transverse crosssection having parallel, offset parting edges with an arcuate groove at the intersection of said edges to provide in the assembled spool section a central opening dimensioned to fit loosely around a stay on which the system is installed, cooperating first means on said halves to hold said halves together in alignment in assembled position, each of said halves having a bore, a slot extending radially from each of said bores to the exterior of said halves, said bore of said first half receiving the luff of a sail and a luff rope within said luff, said slot of said first half receiving the edge of said sail, second means for connecting said sections end-to-end on a stay and for rotation in unison with the bores of said sections in alignment, and third means for rotating said sections about a stay to furl said sail about said spool sections.
 2. A system according to claim 1 in which said first means comprises a tongue on one said parting edge and a complementary groove on the other said parting edge, the tongue of one half fitting into the grooves in the other half when said halves are assembled.
 3. A system according to claim 2 in which said first means further comprises fastening means fastening said halves together in assembled position.
 4. A system according to claim 1 which further comprises a crown block having means for securing said crown block to the top of the uppermost spool section and formed to receive said stay and rotate about said stay in unison with said spool sections, said crown block further formed with a passage communicating with said bores of both said halves of said uppermost spool section, a pulley, and means rotatably mounting said pulley in said passage, a luff rope in the bore of one said half extending beyond the top of said sail and passing over said pulley and down the bore of the second said half, whereby said luff rope may be pulled to hoist said sail.
 5. A system according to claim 4 which further comprises a first window in a first half of the lowermost said spool section and a second window in the second half of said lowermost spool section whereby the top of said sail may be inserted in said first window and the end of said luff rope remote from said sail may be pulled out through said second window, means securing said luff rope at the bottom of said sail to said first half of said lowermost spool section adjacent said first window and means securing the end of said luff rope remote from said sail to said second half of said lowermost spool section adjacent said second window.
 6. A system according to claim 1 in which said third means comprises a drum fixed for rotation with the lowermost of said spool sections and a furling line wrapped around said drum.
 7. A system according to claim 6 in which said drum comprises two drum halves each formed with a groove to fit around said spool and top and bottom flanges and fastening means to detachably hold said drum halves together.
 8. A system according to claim 7 which further comprises a furling rope guide having means to fix said guide to said stay and a radial arm for said furling roPe.
 9. A system according to claim 1 in which each said half is formed with a second bore offset from said first-mentioned bore and in which said second means comprise pins fitting into the second bores of adjacent spool sections.
 10. A system according to claim 9 in which each said half is formed with a second slot extending radially from said second bore to the exterior of said half and is also formed with an external step having a locking surface substantially parallel to said parting edges and in which said cooperating first means comprises a plurality of metal clips each engaging the locking surface of one said half and the second slot of the other half and bridging the joint between said halves. 